# EU Hits Apple & Meta with Landmark DMA Fines

## Summary

- €700 million in total fines under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) target Apple and Meta for the first enforcement actions since the law’s roll‑out.
- Apple faces a €500 million penalty for breaching the DMA’s “anti‑steering” rules that barred developers from directing users to cheaper off‑store options and prevented direct purchases.
- Meta receives a €200 million fine for its “consent or pay” model that forced EU users of Facebook and Instagram to choose between data‑combining ads or a paid ad‑free subscription, lacking a less‑data‑intensive alternative.
- The companies must comply within 60 days or face “periodic penalty payments,” with the DMA allowing penalties up to 10 % of global revenue (potentially 20 % for repeat violations).
- These fines underscore ongoing EU‑US tensions over tech regulation, with the EU citing impartial enforcement and US officials accusing the bloc of “lawfare” against American firms.

## Sources

1. [apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/apple-iphone-meta-european-union-facebook-technology-7924bfffe1da801a5023057faa9a511b) - The European Union hits Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines, Apr 23
2. [cnn.com](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/tech/european-union-apple-meta-fines-intl/index.html) - EU whacks Apple and Meta with $800 million in antitrust fines, Apr 23
3. [aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/23/eu-slaps-meta-and-apple-with-a-combined-700-million-euros-fine) - EU slaps Meta, Apple with nearly $800m fines, Apr 23
4. [europa.eu](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-finds-apple-and-meta-breach-digital-markets-act) - Commission finds Apple and Meta breach Digital Markets Act, Apr 23